Captaincy concerns for Sharks
Mon, 14 Apr 2008 23:28
Doubtful starter: Sharks captain Johann Muller
Sharks coach Dick Muir will be sweating over the fitness of his captain Johann Muller for the next few days, as his team prepares for their crucial Super 14 showdown with the Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday.
Muller is a doubtful starter for the team's third match on their month-long Australasian tour, after suffering a burst ear drum in their 19-17 Round Nine win over the Highlanders last Friday.
The Sharks' inspirational captain took a heavy blow against the ear in the come-from-behind victory and completed the match, but the injury flared up as the team travelled from New Zealand's South Island to their base in Australia, where they will prepare for the encounter with a resurgent Brumbies outfit.
Muller was in extreme discomfort on Monday and the team's medical staff were awaiting the results of scans done on Monday.
The 28-year-old Muller is not the only injury concern for Muir, following the bruising encounter with the Highlanders.
Also in a race against time to recover for the Canberra showdown is flank Keegan Daniel, who suffered a hip-flexor injury against the Highlanders.
He was also in obvious pain when the team landed in Australia and by Monday was still only 50-50 to be fit to face the Brumbies.
Veteran World Cup Springbok lock Albert van den Berg is on standby to take over from Muller in the second row, having played a huge role in regularly coming off the bench as a second-half replacement this season.
Another Bok veteran, utility forward AJ Venter, could partner Steven Sykes at lock, but he may be forced to play on the flank if Daniel fails to recover in time.
Jacques Botes, who has perviously captained the Sharks in the absence Muller and Venter, will take over as team leader.
However, the loss of star players Muller and Daniel could be a body blow to the Sharks' prospects of preserving their unbeaten record this season.
